Why a second subjunctive
The present subjunctive says nothing about time: It only signals that the speaker is judging, wanting or doubting. When the event in the subordinate clause happened before the event in the main clause, you use the subjonctif passé. If it is simultaneous or comes later, you stay with the present subjunctive.
Simultaneous or earlier
Je suis content que tu viennes.
I'm glad you're coming. (same time or later)
Je suis content que tu sois venu.
I'm glad you came. (earlier)
Je doute qu'elle ait compris.
I doubt she understood.
The forms
There is nothing new to learn: The auxiliary is the present subjunctive of avoir or être, followed by the participe passé.
parler and partir
| Person | parler | partir |
|---|---|---|
| que je | aie parlé | sois parti(e) |
| que tu | aies parlé | sois parti(e) |
| qu'il / elle | ait parlé | soit parti(e) |
| que nous | ayons parlé | soyons parti(e)s |
| que vous | ayez parlé | soyez parti(e)(s) |
| qu'ils / elles | aient parlé | soient parti(e)s |
Past subjunctive with avoir and with être
The forms in a sentence
Je regrette que tu n'aies pas parlé plus tôt.
I'm sorry you didn't speak up sooner.
Je suis heureux qu'elles soient arrivées à temps.
I'm glad they arrived on time.
J'ai peur qu'elle se soit perdue.
I'm afraid she got lost.
When you need it
The triggers are the same as for the present subjunctive. Only the time relation decides which form you use.
Feelings, doubt, judgement
You judge or doubt something that has already happened: after être désolé / content que, c'est dommage que, douter que, negated penser que and expressions like il est possible que.
Je suis désolé que vous ayez attendu si longtemps.
I'm sorry you waited so long.
Je ne pense pas qu'il ait dit la vérité.
I don't think he told the truth.
Il est possible qu'ils se soient trompés d'adresse.
They may have got the address wrong.
Finished by a certain point
The clause can also describe something that must be completed by a later point: after il faut que, attendre que, jusqu'à ce que.
Il faut que j'aie terminé avant midi.
I have to be finished by noon.
Je reste jusqu'à ce que tu aies fini.
I'll stay until you've finished.
Conjunctions
Bien que, quoique, sans que and à moins que require the subjunctive, even when the event is over.
Bien qu'il ait plu, nous sommes sortis.
Although it had rained, we went out.
Il est parti sans qu'on ait pu lui parler.
He left without anyone being able to talk to him.
The main clause may also be in the past: J'étais content qu'il soit venu. Modern French still uses the subjonctif passé here.
